She’s Fine at School… But Is She? What Teachers Really See

What do experienced teachers actually notice about uniquely wired students… and what often gets missed?

In this episode, I sit down with veteran elementary teacher Heather Bearman, who shares what 30 years in the classroom has taught her about students who learn and think differently.

We talk about masking (especially in girls), the quiet signs of struggle that can go unnoticed, and what truly helps a child feel safe and understood at school.

If you’ve ever been told “everything looks fine at school” but know your child is struggling, this conversation will give you a new lens.

This episode is for parents, educators, and anyone supporting a uniquely wired child.

https://linktr.ee/uniquely.wired.child

In this episode of Educating the Uniquely Wired Child, I sit down with a former student, Kristine, who is now an adult reflecting on her experience growing up with a uniquely wired brain.

Kristine shares what school felt like from the inside, the effort it took to keep up, the ways she learned to mask her struggles, and why some teachers were able to help her while others missed the signs completely.

One insight that stood out during our conversation was this: the teachers who seemed to understand her best were often teachers who were uniquely wired themselves.

This episode explores what masking can look like for girls with ADHD and learning differences, why their challenges are often overlooked, and what parents and educators can learn from listening to the lived experiences of students themselves.

If you are raising a daughter who appears to be doing “fine” at school but is exhausted or overwhelmed at home, this conversation may feel very familiar.

In This Episode We Discuss:

• What masking can look like for girls with ADHD or learning differences
• Why many girls go unidentified for years
• The hidden effort it takes to keep up in school
• Why some teachers recognize these struggles and others miss them
• What parents can learn from listening to the lived experiences of their children

Resources Mentioned

Educating the Uniquely Wired Child: The Workbook
Available here:
https://payhip.com/b/EfVmr

Connect with Dr. Kristan Shimpi

Podcast: Educating the Uniquely Wired Child
Instagram / TikTok: @uniquely.wired.child

If you have tried behavior charts, rewards, consequences, and stricter rules (and you are still stuck) this episode is for you.

In our very first episode of Educating the Uniquely Wired Child, Kristan Shimpi sits down with psychologist and author Ross Greene, creator of the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model and author of The Explosive Child.

Together, they unpack:

• Why challenging behavior is not a motivation problem
• Tools for self-regulation
• Why rewards and consequences often backfire for neurodivergent kids
• How to shift from control to collaboration
• One small sentence change that can transform conversations

If you have ever felt blamed, exhausted, or unsure what to try next…. you are not alone.

Uniquely wired children do not need fixing.
They need understanding, strategy, and adults who refuse to give up on them.